Trainer Ethan Ensby saddles up Maximum Vortex at Casino
Casino trainer Ethan Ensby has declared electric sprinter Maximum Vortex is ready and able if called upon by slot-holders for a Kosciuszko mission in the mid-October $2 million showdown.
A fourth generation direct descendant of former Woodlands Stud owned crack filly-cum-foundation mare Shaybisc, Maximum Vortex has won seven races on both sides of the Tweed River, most of them by big margins in slick time.
Ensby's gelding went within inches of winning the John Carlton at the Grafton carnival just 10-days prior to his uncommonly poor run in the time-honoured Ramornie Handicap.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
'The Ramornie was just an absolute trainwreck,'' Ensby said.
'The trainer needs his head read for starting him from that bad gate (14 of 15).
'He pulled up fine but we tipped him out for three weeks, he is back and he looks enormous.
'He'll start a bit of pacework (this week) and the idea is he will trial, I think it is the day before tickets are drawn for the Kosciuszko.
'The stable has put together a bit of a syndicate to buy some tickets, we have got a fair bit of coin in the bank to go and buy some, so (the Kosciuszko) is the plan.'
• Everest possibility for Waller's new leading Lady
Ensby will be represented by four of Maximum Vortex's stablemates – Vendemmia, So Sain, Intelligencer and the Tasmanian-born blueblood, In The Blink – at his hometown meeting at Casino on Monday.
Vendemmia finished out of a place at his first run for Ensby (and jockey Ben Looker) at Kempsey last month but it comes as no surprise he is the punter's favourite to make amends on Monday.
'Benny jumped off and said he just made a mess of that,'' Ensby explained.
'He said he lobbed in what he thought was going to be a perfect position and then he said he had all these horses around him that weren't carting him anywhere.
'He got caught behind a wall of them and darted back to the inside and the inside probably ended up being the worse place to be all day, it was like quicksand.'
Vendemmia will have company, and competition, in her assignment from her new stablemate So Sain who makes her Northern Rivers debut on Monday having originally been stationed at Kembla with Robert and Luke Price.
'She's a nice little horse,'' Ensby said.
'I probably should have had her in the 1000m (race), the 1200m might just be a furlong too far. Look for her second-up but that's not saying that she can't run a race.'
Ensby warned punters not to unduly punish his Written Tycoon filly Intelligencer ($51) for her almost 20-lengths last at Grafton four weeks ago.
'Once again the trainer needs his head read for starting from an outside gate,'' Ensby said.
'Benny (Looker) came back and said he was never going to get in any closer than six-wide and then another horse in the race just carted him clean off the track.
'Be looking for big improvement on Monday.
'She is a very, very nice horse.'
Intelligencer boasts a rare 3x4 double cross of Kenmare whose numerous Australian-born stakes-winners include fast and furious types like Keltrice, Kenvain and Kenfair, milers Brave Prince and Baryshnikov, AJC Oaks winner Kenbelle and the Melbourne Cup placegetter, Lahar.
Ensby's final runner on Monday is another stable debutant, this one being the seven-year-old mare, In The Blink.
'She has been a work in progress,'' Ensby said.
'I tell you what, if looks could win races, she'd win by 10 lengths. She looks absolutely outstanding and her work has been exceptional.'
Originally published as Casino Monday preview: Trainer Ethan Ensby takes it to the Max
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
27 minutes ago
- Herald Sun
Trainer Matt Smith saddles up Fioprospero at Rosehill Gardens
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Saturday shapes as an important day in the career of staying prospect Fioprospero at Rosehill Gardens. A son of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente, Fioprospero only joined the team of trainer Matt Smith at the start of his current preparation and he's done nothing but please his trainer. 'I went through his form and watched his tapes when I got him, my first thoughts were he'll stay this horse, and he looks like a stayer,' Smith said. 'The more we've done with him the more he's impressed me. 'I like him as a horse. He's a good style of a horse, got a good brain on him and he's always worked well.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Fioprospero heads into his upcoming assignment off an unlucky second at the same track over 2000 metre three weeks ago. This time the four-year-old gelding steps up to the 2400m trip for the first time in his career when he tackles the Mostyn Coopper Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m). • Record-breaker Baker aiming to go out on a high note 'He's going great,' Smith said. 'You never know until they do it but he gives me every indication he's going to run the trip. 'Last start he was badly held up in the straight, lost momentum but when he got into the clear he closed off so to be able to pick himself up, dust himself off and still find the line is a good indicator he might get further. 'This is the right race to try.' Trainer Matt Smith believes Fioprospero has a bright future. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images. • EXPERT TIPS: Clinton Payne's race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill Gardens on Saturday Fioprospero is an $8.50 chance with while his last start conqueror Good Banter is the $4.40 favourite. 'If he shows us he can run the mile and a half on Saturday, it's going to open up plenty more options for the horse going forward,' he said. 'He has the makings of being a nice horse for the stable in the new season.' • 'Doing Black Caviar things': Trainer David Hayes reveals why The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising is a '10 out of 10' Meanwhile, Smith also revealed his big spring hopefuls Headwater and Waltham have returned to work as they continue to build towards their spring campaigns. Headwater has The Everest aspirations and the plan is to resume in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick on September 6 while Waltham is chasing a berth in the Melbourne Cup. Originally published as Trainer Matt Smith to saddle up Fioprospero at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Crows star investigated over alleged vilification
Izak Rankine, one of Adelaide's most important players, is under investigation for an alleged homophobic slur. Rankine, if found guilty, could be suspended for ladder-leader Adelaide's looming finals campaign. The AFL has previously handed down suspensions ranging from three to five games to players guilty of homophobic slurs. The top-placed Crows have one home-and-away game remaining and can't finish lower than second entering the finals. Adelaide officials have refused to name Rankine as the player under investigation. But it's known the brilliant forward/midfielder is at the centre of the probe. "We are aware of an alleged matter involving one of our players in Saturday night's game and we are in discussions with the AFL," a Crows spokesman said on Monday. The AFL confirmed an investigation but also didn't name Rankine. "The AFL is aware of an alleged matter, with the AFL integrity unit making enquiries," the league said in a statement. Rankine allegedly directed a slur at a Collingwood opponent in Saturday night's clash at Adelaide Oval, which the Crows won by three points. The AFL this year banned West Coast's Jack Graham for four games after he admitted a homophobic slur against a GWS opponent in round 17. Last year, Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches and Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson was banned three games, both for making homophobic comments to opponents. Any ban for Rankine, renowned as among the league's most talented players, would be a hammer blow to Adelaide's finals campaign. "Obviously it's not ideal," Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson told reporters on arrival at the club's West Lakes headquarters on Monday. "But it's in the AFL's hands, it's being investigated and we will see what happens. "We will wait and see and leave it up to the AFL to go through what they have to go through." The Crows will enter the finals in top spot if they defeat North Melbourne on Saturday. Adelaide will then host two finals as club returns to the playoffs for the first time since losing the 2017 grand final. Rankine, 25, is yet to play a final. He spent three seasons with Gold Coast before the Adelaide-born playmaker joined the Crows at the end of the 2022 season. Last Monday, Rankine spoke of his excitement at Adelaide's finals campaign. "I have never been this high on the ladder before so it's quite nice," he told reporters. "We'll appreciate it ... it's nice to think about, but we know we have some more steps to take throughout the year." Izak Rankine, one of Adelaide's most important players, is under investigation for an alleged homophobic slur. Rankine, if found guilty, could be suspended for ladder-leader Adelaide's looming finals campaign. The AFL has previously handed down suspensions ranging from three to five games to players guilty of homophobic slurs. The top-placed Crows have one home-and-away game remaining and can't finish lower than second entering the finals. Adelaide officials have refused to name Rankine as the player under investigation. But it's known the brilliant forward/midfielder is at the centre of the probe. "We are aware of an alleged matter involving one of our players in Saturday night's game and we are in discussions with the AFL," a Crows spokesman said on Monday. The AFL confirmed an investigation but also didn't name Rankine. "The AFL is aware of an alleged matter, with the AFL integrity unit making enquiries," the league said in a statement. Rankine allegedly directed a slur at a Collingwood opponent in Saturday night's clash at Adelaide Oval, which the Crows won by three points. The AFL this year banned West Coast's Jack Graham for four games after he admitted a homophobic slur against a GWS opponent in round 17. Last year, Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches and Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson was banned three games, both for making homophobic comments to opponents. Any ban for Rankine, renowned as among the league's most talented players, would be a hammer blow to Adelaide's finals campaign. "Obviously it's not ideal," Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson told reporters on arrival at the club's West Lakes headquarters on Monday. "But it's in the AFL's hands, it's being investigated and we will see what happens. "We will wait and see and leave it up to the AFL to go through what they have to go through." The Crows will enter the finals in top spot if they defeat North Melbourne on Saturday. Adelaide will then host two finals as club returns to the playoffs for the first time since losing the 2017 grand final. Rankine, 25, is yet to play a final. He spent three seasons with Gold Coast before the Adelaide-born playmaker joined the Crows at the end of the 2022 season. Last Monday, Rankine spoke of his excitement at Adelaide's finals campaign. "I have never been this high on the ladder before so it's quite nice," he told reporters. "We'll appreciate it ... it's nice to think about, but we know we have some more steps to take throughout the year." Izak Rankine, one of Adelaide's most important players, is under investigation for an alleged homophobic slur. Rankine, if found guilty, could be suspended for ladder-leader Adelaide's looming finals campaign. The AFL has previously handed down suspensions ranging from three to five games to players guilty of homophobic slurs. The top-placed Crows have one home-and-away game remaining and can't finish lower than second entering the finals. Adelaide officials have refused to name Rankine as the player under investigation. But it's known the brilliant forward/midfielder is at the centre of the probe. "We are aware of an alleged matter involving one of our players in Saturday night's game and we are in discussions with the AFL," a Crows spokesman said on Monday. The AFL confirmed an investigation but also didn't name Rankine. "The AFL is aware of an alleged matter, with the AFL integrity unit making enquiries," the league said in a statement. Rankine allegedly directed a slur at a Collingwood opponent in Saturday night's clash at Adelaide Oval, which the Crows won by three points. The AFL this year banned West Coast's Jack Graham for four games after he admitted a homophobic slur against a GWS opponent in round 17. Last year, Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches and Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson was banned three games, both for making homophobic comments to opponents. Any ban for Rankine, renowned as among the league's most talented players, would be a hammer blow to Adelaide's finals campaign. "Obviously it's not ideal," Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson told reporters on arrival at the club's West Lakes headquarters on Monday. "But it's in the AFL's hands, it's being investigated and we will see what happens. "We will wait and see and leave it up to the AFL to go through what they have to go through." The Crows will enter the finals in top spot if they defeat North Melbourne on Saturday. Adelaide will then host two finals as club returns to the playoffs for the first time since losing the 2017 grand final. Rankine, 25, is yet to play a final. He spent three seasons with Gold Coast before the Adelaide-born playmaker joined the Crows at the end of the 2022 season. Last Monday, Rankine spoke of his excitement at Adelaide's finals campaign. "I have never been this high on the ladder before so it's quite nice," he told reporters. "We'll appreciate it ... it's nice to think about, but we know we have some more steps to take throughout the year."
Herald Sun
4 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Trainers Emma-Lee, David Browne to unleash Mcgaw
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Husband-and-wife training partners Emma-Lee and David Browne will now unleash Melbourne Spring Carnival challengers Mcgaw and Cup-qualified Basilinna at Caulfield at the end of the month. Mcgaw was set to resume in the Group 3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday but a minor temperature spike derailed the Brownes' plans. The three-year-old gelding, undefeated in two starts including the $1m Showdown, has been reset towards the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 30. 'He was just a little bit dull (Friday) afternoon,' Emma-Lee Browne said. 'We checked (his temperature), it's pretty minor but we didn't want to flatten him first-up. 'It was very minor but just enough.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Mcgaw is set to gallop at Caulfield in two weeks to sharpen up for the McNeil Stakes. 'We'll probably bring him here … use that and probably go straight into the McNeil,' Emma-Lee said. 'The trip away is almost like a jumpout for him, he works himself pretty hard.' Mcgaw has impressed in both starts, winning his maiden easily at Pakenham before claiming the $1 million VOBIS Showdown (1200m) at Caulfield back in March. 'We've been really, really, really happy with him,' Emma-Lee said. 'He's developing into a lovely strong horse. 'He's a naturally fast horse and he's still learning how to harness his speed. Trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne with Damian Lane after Mcgaw won the VOBIS Showdown. Photo: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images • Private Eye overcomes barrier scare to dominate PB Lawrence The Brownes' two stable stars Basilinna and Statuario are both not far off their returns with some big targets in the months ahead. 'We're holding all of our balloons at the moment, hoping none of them are going to pop,' Emma-Lee said. 'It's good and the horses are coming along nicely.' Basilinna holds ballot exemption in the Melbourne Cup after the five-year-old daughter of underrated Kiwi-based staying stallion Staphanos (JPN) won the Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington back in May. Basilinna has two public hit outs under the belt with her return slated for August 30. 'The plan is for her to resume at the end of the month in a 2000 metre open handicap at Caulfield on Memsie Stakes Day,' Browne said. 'She's an out and out stayer, that doesn't like being bustled early so the longer distance races keep her happy. 'She's coming up really well and we're excited about what's ahead.' Basilinna winning the Andrew Ramsden. Photo: Brett Holburt / Getty Images • Lots of spring options for Stokes filly after Quezette upset Basilinna is rated a $34 chance in the Melbourne Cup. 'We've got a few options (to get there)' Emma-Lee said. 'We'll get through the first race but we programmed what we could fit in, with maybe the Cup being fifth-up because that seems to be when she's gone very, very well. 'It's a nice position to be in (Cup qualified) but it's still slightly nerve racking.' Group 1-placed Statuario will resume at The Valley on September 6. Statuario winning the Galilee Series Final at Caulfield in April. Photo: Reg Ryan / Getty Images • Maher colt comes out on top in Vain battle Statuario surprised his trainers when looking 'really sharp' and holding off the highly-regarded Deakin to lead throughout in a recent 1200m Pakenham jumpout in which Basilinna placed third. 'He's going super and we're a bit excited about him looking to the future,' Emma-Lee said. 'The couple of trips away last prep have brought him on mentally. 'We're planning to kick him off in the So You Think Stakes at Moonee Valley. 'Everything is on the table for him in the spring, we'll be guided by how he performs in open company.' Originally published as Mcgaw to launch spring carnival assault in Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield on August 30 after temperature hiccup for trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne
